User interface for touch and swipe navigation

Abstract

A method and device to create a user interface for touch and swipe navigation in a touch sensitive mobile device is provided. A touch action performed by a user is identified on the touch screen display, a context related to the touch action is identified, a menu is displayed based on the identified context, and a menu option corresponding to direction of swipe performed onto the menu is selected from among options of the menu, without removing the touch.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to an Indian Patent Application filed in the Indian Patent Office on Feb. 13, 2012 and assigned Serial No. 533 / CHE / 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention generally relates to graphical user interface, and more particularly to a user interface for touch and swipe user input in a mobile device.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]With the evolution of mobile communication technology there has been a tremendous increase in the number of functionalities offered on the mobile device. Further, the increases in the functionalities offer a challenge to design interfaces on such mobile devices. The challenge is particularly significant on portable hand held devices such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, etc. In these mobile devices, as the number of functionalities increase, accommodating functio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention aims to simplify user interfaces and make it easier for users to access multiple functions with a single touch or swipe on their mobile device. The technical effects include reducing complexity and improving usability.

Problems solved by technology

Further, the increases in the functionalities offer a challenge to design interfaces on such mobile devices.

The challenge is particularly significant on portable hand held devices such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, etc.

In these mobile devices, as the number of functionalities increase, accommodating functional keys or buttons becomes a difficulty.

Due to this, the user menu becomes very complex to store, access and manipulate data.

As a result, present day interfaces typically comprise complex key interfaces, sequences, and menu hierarchies that must be memorized by the user.

In addition, the physical push buttons are inflexible.

This, together with the complexity involved in the display due to the functionalities, is frustrating to users.

This may reduce the complexity involved; however, there are some serious drawbacks associated with them, which include the touch sensitive or swipe feature moving a service control object from one position to another position on the screen a specific distance.

Further, when there are numerous applications on the screen it becomes difficult for the user to touch / swipe in the small area available for each application as there is always a possibility of a wrong touch / swipe action, and hence a wrong application may get activated.

In addition, as the number of applications increases the icons on the menu increase and most of the time a large percentage of these may not be used by the user at all.

Due to this, the screen space is wasted.

Numerous icons and applications may seem very confusing to the user and he may find it annoying.

Further, most of the interfaces do not offer a single touch or swipe feature.

This process may be time consuming and user may not prefer it as it may require some manual effort on the user end.

Also, there are no mechanisms to customize the menu and buttons as per user's choice.

Due to the aforementioned reasons, it is evident that existing touch sensitive mechanisms employed in mobile devices are not very effective.

Further, they involve a large number of menus or drop down icons that are not favorable.

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